No on Prop 1E, Ca State Legislature and Governor balance budget on backs of those most vulnerable.

PRLog (Press Release) - May 15, 2009 -
No on Proposition 1E

The California Legislature and Governor have descended on Proposition 63 funds as a step in their effort to cure the state’s $41 billion deficit.  If it passes, Proposition 1E, the ballot initiative being presented to voters in a May 19th Statewide Special Election, would allow for the temporary “redirection” of approximately $460 million of Mental Health Service Act (MHSA) dollars over the next two fiscal years to the State General Fund (SGF).  This is a bad idea.

In 2004, Californians voted to reverse decades of severe underfunding of the State’s Public Mental Health System when they overwhelmingly supported Proposition 63, the MHSA. Under this landmark initiative, California has been successful in reaching thousands more people in need throughout the State and here in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Proposition 63 has expanded community care programs that help keep individuals suffering from mental illness out of  more costly facilities like hospitals, homeless shelters, and criminal justice institutions.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) stated that, if passed, Proposition 1E would “make less money available for mental health programs” and “could [result] in added costs for homeless shelters, social service programs, medical care, law enforcement and county jail and state prison operations.”

On May 19th, tell the Legislature and the Governor that you disagree with their attempt to balance the budget on the backs of those Californians most vulnerable and in need. Vote No on Proposition 1E.


With much hope for the future,

Charles “Chip” Huggins
Chief Executive Officer
Caminar



About Caminar:  Caminar is a nonprofit agency that has been providing services for adults with disabilities for over 40years. With an annual budget of over $16 million, the agency is located in two states, four regions, and has over 400 employees. Caminar's community-based programs in California are designed to maximize wellness,  recovery and rehabilitation for adults with mental and developmental disabilities. Caminar's core services focus on community-based individual support services; intensive residential care, transitional and permanent supported housing, supported education, and supported employment.